Many years ago, I saw a plaque outlining some of the milestones in the life of the 16th American President Abraham Lincoln.Although he is usually regarded as the greatest US president, and he is known widely for his anti-slavery achievements and the preservation of the United States, his personal life was beset by hardship.
In spite of significant personal struggles, he is known for his personification of the values of honesty, integrity, individual rights, and human freedom in general.
In spite of all the set backs in his life, he was still able to assert that 'I am not bound to win, but I am bound to be true. I am not bound to succeed, but I am bound to live by the light that I have. I must stand with anybody that stands right, and stand with him while he is right, and part with him when he goes wrong'.
Surely, the life of Abraham Lincoln serves as a powerful challenge to each of us. Setbacks and struggles need not deter us, and if embraced, they can be actively incorporated into a life well lived - even gloriously lived.
Key dates in the life of Abraham Lincoln
1809 - Born
1818 - Mother died
1828 - Sister died
1818 - Mother died
1828 - Sister died
1832 - Lost job
1832 - Defeated for legislature
1833 - Failed in business
1834 - Elected to legislature
1835 - Sweetheart died
1836 - Had a nervous breakdown
1838 - Defeated for speaker
1841 - Engagement broken off
1843 - Defeated for nominated for congress
1846 - Elected to congress
1848 - Lost re-nomination
1849 - Rejected for land officer
1850 - Brother died
1851 - Father died
1854 - Defeated for senate
1856 - Defeated for nomination for Vice-president
1858 - Defeated for Senate again
1860 - Elected President of the United States
1862 - Son died
1864 - Re-elected President
1865 - Died